With the nation's favourite TV contest now over for another year, here's your handy guide for everything you need to know about the BBC sorry, Channel 4 (still sounds weird) series.

The Great British Bake Off: Who won?

Sophie - 33, Surrey

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Sophie grew up in Suffolk, and now lives with her boyfriend David and their cat Loki. After graduating with a Masters in Psychology at The University of Toulouse, Sophie joined the British Army as an Officer in the Royal Artillery.

The Great British Bake Off: Who were the runners-up?

Kate - 29, Merseyside

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Kate works as a Health and Safety Inspector, and also enjoys blacksmithing and restoring furniture. She started learning to bake two years ago, and prefers to use old-fashioned techniques.

Steven - 34, Hertfordshire

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Steven has a background in marketing, and began baking after his mum taught him the basics 25 years ago, and has lost five stone since baking everything he eats.

The Great British Bake Off: Who was eliminated each week?

Eliminated in week 1: Peter - 52, Essex

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Peter is an IT Programme Manager, and lives with his wife Tito and their two children. Born in Brixton, he moved to Nigeria when he was seven, but moved back to the UK aged 24. He started baking eight years ago after feeling unwell due to buying shop bought bread.

Eliminated in week 2: Chris - 50, Bristol

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Originally from Sussex, Chris works as a software developer and lives with his wife Catherine. He is a cancer survivor, and is passionate about helping and inspiring others affected by the disease.

Eliminated in week 3:Flo - 71, Merseyside

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Architect Tom lives with his partner David, and was taught to bake by his mother at a young age. He often makes fresh shortbread for friends and family.

Eliminated in week 5: James - 46, Essex

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James lives with his wife Ann, two sons and their three chickens, and he works as a banker in Canary Wharf. He also trained as a port diver for the Royal Navy Reserves.

Eliminated in week 6: Julia - 21, West Sussex

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Originally from Siberia, Julia met her British husband Matt on holiday in Turkey aged 17. After moving to the UK, she spent three years studying British bakes in the hopes of appearing on the show.

Eliminated in week 7: Chuen-Yan 'Yan' - 46, North London

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Yan was born in Hong Kong and moved to the UK when she was two. She trained as a Biomedical Scientist and now works for The Francis Crick Institute as a Lab Research Scientist. She lives with her wife Marian and cat Kacey.

Eliminated in week 8: Liam - 19, North London

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Born in Hackney, Liam is known as 'Cake Boy' by his uni mates. One of his biggest ambitions is to make baking acceptable amongst his peers and the younger generation.

The Great British Bake Off 2017: Who were the judges?

"Since I was a kid, baking has been part of my life," Paul said. "The seven series inside the tent have created some great memories. Best of all, I have felt so pleased to experience other people getting the baking bug, just as I did when my dad helped me make my first loaf.

"The Great British Bake Off has brought baking to the nation and we've seen people from all walks of life and backgrounds, experience the highs and lows of competition, and more importantly helping each other."

Paul added: "It's been a huge part of my life in the past few years and I just couldn't turn my back on all that – the bakers themselves, the bakes, the team that makes it, and of course the tent, the bunting, and who could forget... the squirrels.

"So I am delighted that I will be continuing as a judge when Bake Off moves to Channel 4. I want to thank the BBC and Mel and Sue for making my time in the tent great fun and really rewarding."

Mary Berry decided to stick with the BBC after the move, but wished Paul well, telling Digital Spy at the NTAs: "Of course [I will watch the show]. I'll see what they're up to. I want to see Paul because we're still great friends."

As for Paul's next fellow judge, the Great British Menu star and successful restaurateur Prue Leith joined the show as Mary's successor, after weeks of rumours linking her to the show.

"I cannot wait to see what the real stars of the show – the bakers – are going to create for us. It is such an honour to be part of The Great British Bake Off team," she said after the news was announced.

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Paul was pretty pleased about it too: "I could not be more delighted by who will be joining me on the show. Prue is a hugely respected culinary legend, and Sandi and Noel are warm and utterly hilarious. I cannot wait to get back in the tent with the bakers."

The Great British Bake Off 2017: Who replaced Mel & Sue?

"It is an extraordinary honour to be part of this national treasure of a show," said Sandi (something of a national treasure herself, no?) when the news was announced earlier this year.

"Noel Fielding is one of the nicest guys in showbusiness. The first time I met him I felt like I had met a rather wayward cousin whose take on the world made me laugh. The only downside is that he has much better dress sense than I do."

And Noel was basically excited because, in his own words: "I've always loved brightly-coloured cakes and Sandi Toksvig, so this is a dream come true for me! It's basically the double."

Mel and Sue immediately ruled themselves out of the running for Bake Off on Channel 4 when the BBC lost the rights to the show. "We were very shocked and saddened to learn yesterday evening that Bake Off will be moving from its home," they said in a joint statement back in September.

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"We made no secret of our desire for the show to remain where it was. We've had the most amazing time on Bake Off, and have loved seeing it rise and rise like a pair of yeasted Latvian baps," they continued. "We're not going with the dough. We wish all the future bakers every success."

Initial reports named Jimmy Carr and Naked Attraction's Anna Richardson – who is Sue Perkins' girlfriend – along with Location, Location, Location duo Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer as early contenders on Channel 4's wishlist – which was also said to include Davina McCall, Clare Balding and Claudia Winkleman.

Dawn French ruled out the chances of her and Jennifer Saunders taking over, saying: "I think that rumour started because what other two girls are there working together?" she said. "It's as simple as that. 'Those two, them'. Absolutely not, no."

The Great British Bake Off 2017: Why did it move to Channel 4?

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If you're wondering why the hell the BBC lost Bake Off in the first place, here's a very brief explainer.

While series 7 had only just aired a few episodes in 2016, Love Productions (the people behind making the show) announced that it would be the last time it would air on BBC One after extended negotiations.

On September 12, Love agreed to a three-year deal to broadcast the series on Channel 4 instead.

The commercial broadcaster is said to have paid around £25 million a year for the deal, which will include up to 40 hours each year, including various professional and celebrity specials.

Love also reportedly rejected bigger offers from both Netflix and ITV. The BBC was allegedly told it would need to pay £25 million a year to keep Bake Off, which is four times bigger than its previous deal. Instead, the BBC offered to double its payment to around £12.5 million, but this wasn't enough.

At the time, Channel 4 said that it would also air a celebrity version of the show in 2017, in aid of Stand up to Cancer, with Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson the first contestant lined up.

The Great British Bake Off 2017: What was the deal with An Extra Slice?

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Much to the relief of fans, An Extra Slice was not cancelled when Bake Off moved channels.

Jo Brand has continued to hold the spin-off series every week on Channel 4, chatting to the departing bakers and celeb fans about everything that's been going on in the tent.

"As a completely mediocre baker myself, but lover of all things spongey and tarty, I am really looking forward to another Extra Slice and all the fun and frolics that brings," said Jo after Channel 4 confirmed the show would go on.

The Great British Bake Off 2017 review: What have the critics said?

"On the evidence of the first episode, Channel 4 and Love Productions, who make the programme, have achieved the most difficult of all bakery-related metaphors – having their cake and eating it. The eighth series of the extreme patisserie challenge manages to seem both exactly the same but also just subtly different enough."

"Partnerships, like revamped TV programmes, always need time to get going and warm up. As a duo, Noel and Sandi shouldn't work together... and yet they sort of do. Basically, a bit like GBBO finding a home on C4.

"We'll always mourn the BBC era of the baking behemoth, but this is what we've got now. It's a bit rough around the edges, a little burnt on the outside. But it's still our Bake Off."

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